Roll changing system

ABSTRACT

A roll changing system is intended for a web winder for paper towels or tissues in which a sequence of rotatable cores are coated with bands of glue and advanced through a winding station where a belt drive assembly rotates the cores to wind the web. The web is severed between a fully wound roll and a successive empty core in such a way as to leave a glued trailing end and a glue leading end so that the trailer is adhered to the empty core for winding a new roll. To accomplish this, a counter signal that a roll is fully wound causes the belt drive assembly to press the successive empty core against the web on a back-up roll containing retractable knife which extends rotationally past the line of tangency with the successive core and behind the leading edge of the glue deposited on the web by the core to sever the web intermediate the glue line to leave a glued trailing end a glued leading end.

United States Patent Harley I4 1 Dec.5, 1972 1541 ROLL CHANGING SYSTEM 72 Inventor: Arthur E. Harley, R.D. No. 2, Exami"ewemer"-sclmder Taylor Road, Savannah, N.Y. 1-3146 [22] Filed: July 13, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 162,192

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 837,174, June 27,

1969, abandoned.

[52] US. Cl. ..242/56 A, 242/65 [51] Int. Cl. ..B65h 19/26 [58] Field of Search ..242/56, 56 A, 56.6, 64, 65

[56] References Cited I UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,123,315 3/1964 Couzens ..242/56 3,148,843 9/1964 Turner et a1 ..242/56 3,172,612 3/1965 Besserdich ..242/56 3,342,434 9/1967 Conrad, Jr ..242/56 X 3,369,766 2/1968 Herman ..242/5,6

3,381,911 5/1968 Thomas et a1 ..242/56 COUNTER KNIFE ACTUAT OR Attorney-George W. Shaw et al.

[57] ABSTRACT A roll changing system is intended for a web winder for paper towels or tissues in which a sequence of rotatable cores are coated with bands of glue and advanced through a winding station where a belt drive assembly rotates the cores to wind the web. The web is severed between a fully wound roll and a successive empty core in such a way as to leave a glued trailing end and a glue leading end so that the trailer is adhered to the empty core for winding a new roll. To accomplish this, a counter signal that a roll is fully wound causes the belt drive assembly to press the successive empty core against the web on a back-up roll containing retractable knife which. extends rotationally past the line of tangency with the successive core and behind the leading edge of the glue deposited on the web by the core to sever the web intermediate the glue line to leave a glued trailing end a glued leading end.

10 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEDIJEC 5:972 3.704.835

' sum 2 BF 4 I INVENTOR.

ARTHUR "E. HARLEY BY gum M5 5 24 (I and Six M615.

ATTORNEYS PATENTEDnEc s 1912 SHEET l 0F 4 ATTORNEYS 1 non. CHANGING SYSTEM RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending parent application, Ser. No. 837,174 filed June 27, 19,69, and abandoned upon the filing of this application.

THE NEED FOR IMPROVEMENT the fully wound roll and caused problems involving 7,

wasteand expense. At considerable cost, the ragged trailing edges were torn away manually to produce a better appearing roll. Also,]the loose trailing end created problems in further handling and packaging of the rolls.

The invention proposes a simple and efficient system for gluing down the trailing end of a fully wound roll with a mechanism that is compatible with prior art winding machines and can be installed upon such machines with a minimum of adaptation. The invention also aims at economy, efficiency, accuracy, and reliability in eliminating the disadvantages of random broken webs and loose trailing ends on fully wound rolls.

SUMMARY on THE INVENTION The invention is intended for web winders having means for advancing a sequence of rotatable cores through a winding station, means for applying bands of glue to the cores before they reach the winding station, and a belt-drive assembly for rotating the cores as they pass through the winding station to wind the web. According to theinvention, a web backup roll in the winding station carries a retractable knife, and when a counter signals a fully wound roll a synchronized sequence occurs. This includes movement of the beltdrive assembly to press the core successive to the fully wound roll against the web on the backup roll to deposit glue from the core onto the web, and extending the knife from the backup roll rotationally past the line of tangency with the successive core and behind the leading edge of the glue deposited on the web by the core for severing the web to leave a glued trailing edge as well as a glued leading edge. The trailing edge is then adhered to the fully wound roll, and the leading edge adhered to the empty core for winding a new roll. Preferably the backup roll has the same radius as a perforation roll preceding it, and the knife is positioned to register with the perforation lines of web so that the web severance is always at the perforation line.

DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a partially schematic elevational view of a web-winding machine equipped for the inventive rollchanging system and showing the structural relationship just before a roll change;

FIG. 2 shows the device of FIG. 1 at the first step of a roll change;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The invention is intended for web-winding machines of the type used to wind paper towels and tissues, and it suggests some structural changes in such machines for making an improved roll change. The basic characteristics of such machines remain unchanged, and are illustrated only schematically in the drawings. Those known features will be described first to set the environment of the invention, and then the roll-changing system will be described. I

An endless chain assembly 10 carries a sequencyof rotatable cores such as cores 1] and 12 through the machine for gluing, winding, and other operations. Bands of glue are applied to the cores by glue applicator 13 before the cores reach winding station 15 where a belt assembly 16 engages the cores between the glue bands and rotates the cores to wind web 20 onto the cores. A perforator roll 18 perforates web 20 to form successive tear-off sheets, and counter 19 counts the sheets of web 20 wound on roll 17 to signal when roll 17 is fully wound. Since each revolution of perforator roll 18 produces a predetermined number of perforations in web 20, counter 19 operates by counting the revolutions of perforator roll 18 to signal that a predetermined number of perforations have been made. Whenthe fulfilling count is reached counter 19 produces an electric signal that is used to operate rollchanging mechanisms, and counter 19 is reset to begin counting the sheets on a subsequent roll.

In previous winding machinesof this type a signal from counter 19 actuated abreaker bar (not shown) for breaking web 20 at random relative to its perforation lines above fully wound roll 17. At the same time lever actuator 21 pivoted lever 22 to move upper pulley 23 of belt assembly 16 against core 24 successive to fully wound roll 17, to press core 24 against web 20 above the break to catch the leading end of web 20 and adhere it to core 24 for winding a new roll. As shown in FIG. 2, chain 10 is sufficiently flexible to allow such movement of core 24 against web 20. Such a roll change left a loose and ragged training end of web 20 on fully wound roll 17. 1

The invention uses a new backup roll 25 containing a retractable knife 27 and a knife-actuating mechanism 28. Backup roll 25 is preferably the same radius as perforator roll 18, and is geared to perforator roll 18 for rotating at the same RPM in synchronization with perforator roll 18. Since backup roll 25 and perforator roll 18 are the same diameter and geared together, perforation lines register-with a predetermined line on backup roll 25, and knife 27 is registered with this line so that when knife 27 is actuated it will sever web 20 on a perforation line.

In a roll change with the inventive system, counter 19 signals that roll 17 is fully wound, and such signal is used to initiate simultaneous actions that are correctly synchronized to proceed through. the sequence illustrated in FIGS. 1-3. In response to the full sheet count signal a roll change sequence begins with knife 27 in the position illustrated in FIG. 1. Lever actuator 21 moves lever 22 to press upper pulley 23 of belt assembly 16 against core 24 to move it against web on backup roll 25. This deposits glue from core 24 on web 20 as core 24 rolls against web 20. At the same time, knife actuator 28 is energized to begin extending knife 27 from backup roll 25, and such extension is accomplished just after knife 27 passes the line of tangency of core 24 with backup roll 25. Within a few degrees of rotation of backup roll 25 past such line of tangency, knife 27 is extended sufficiently to sever web 20 on a perforation line. Since core 24 is pressed against web 20. on backup roll 25 ahead of the perforation line to be severed by knife 27, web 20 is cut by knife 27 behind the leading edge of the glue applied to web 20 by core 24. In other words, the glue strips applied to web 20-by core 24 extend across the perforation line to be severed so that when web 20 is cut, as shown in FIG. 3, the trailing end 29 is glued as well as the leading end 30. Core 24 then picks up leading end 30 which adheres to core 24 for winding a new roll, and trailing end 29 is guided onto fully-wound roll 17 by brush 26 to ahere to fully wound roll 17.

The sequency of roll change events initiated by the signal of counter 19 includes automatic restoration to normal winding positions after a brief interval. Lever 22 is automatically moved back to the position of FIG. 1 after a completed roll change, and knife 2.7 is automatically retracted a few rotational degrees after severing web 20. Winding then continues on core 24 until it is fully wound, and a signal from counter 19 initiates another roll change sequence. At such time, core 12 is advanced to the same position occupied by core 24 in the drawings, and core 24 has advanced to the illustrated position of fully wound roll 17. The described roll change sequence is then repeated.

The operation of knife 27 is best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Knife 27 is carried on an arm 31 that is pivotally mounted on a shaft 30 inside backup roll 25. A spring 32 biases arm 31 to extend knife 27 outward beyond the periphery of backup roll 25, and knife 27 is normally latched in a retracted position inside backup roll 25. This is accomplished by a reset arm 33 mounted on shaft 30 at the end of backup roll 25, and a pivotal latch arm 34 also mounted on the end of backup roll 25. A spring 35 biases latch arm 34 in a counterclockwise direction to hold latching edge 36 over latching ledge 37 of arm 33 to maintain arm 33 in the broken-line position holding knife 27 in a retracted position inside backup roll 25. Pin 38 is movable axially of backup roll 25 under control of counter 19 for unlatching and resetting knife 27.

When counter 19 reaches the fulfilling count of sheets wound on a full roll, it produces an electric signal that operates a solenoid (not shown) to drive pin 38 axially of backup roll 25 so that pin 38 can engage latch arm 34 and reset arm 33. Backup roll 25 rotates in the direction of the arrow so that pin 38 first engages latch arm 34 to pivot arm 34 clockwise against spring 35. This releases the latching engagement between surfaces 36 and 37 so that arm 33 is free to rotate clockwise to the position shown in FIG. 5. This turns shaft 30 clockwise, and the driving force for this motion is supplied by spring 32 engaging arm 31 inside backup roll 25 as shown in FIG.'4. Such clockwise rotation extends knife 27 to the illustrated position to sever web 20 rotationally past core 24.

Continued rotation of backup roll 25 moves reset arm 33 over pin 38 so that reset arm 33 is cammed counterclockwise to turn shaft 30 counterclockwise and retract knife 27 against the force of spring 32. When knife 27 is fully retracted, latch arm 34 rotates counterclockwise to effect the latch between surfaces 36 and 37 and hold knife 27 in its normally retracted position. Pin 38 is then retracted by de -energizing it operating solenoid, and knife 27 remains retracted until the next actuation of counter 19 again moves pin 38 into position for engaging arms 33 and 34.

Counter 19 actuates pin 38 and lever actuator 31 simultaneously, and pin 38 is positioned at a peripheral region of backup roll 25 so that the pressing of core 24 against web 20 by operation of lever actuator 21 slightly precedes the extension of knife 27 following the unlatching of arm 34. Proper positioning of pin 38 then establishes a known and constant relationship with lever actuator 21, and since counter 19 counts perforations and generates its roll change signal in synchronization with perforation lines, the entire roll changing cutoff is automatically synchronized with the desired perforation line.

The inventive roll changing system is accomplished with the web-winder proceeding at full speed without interruption and the cutting of web 20 is neat, clean, and always on a perforation line so that no ragged ends have to be torn away. The gluing of the trailing end of 20 to the fully wound roll prevents its coming loose, flopping, and interfering with subsequent cutting and packaging operations. Furthermore, these advantages are accomplished with minimum modification of existing equipment. Once the concept is clearly explained, anyone skilled in this winding art can readily arrange a suitable backup roll and retractable knife to be synchronized with other roll-changing equipment for practicing the inventive roll-changing system.

Persons wishing to practice the invention should remember that other embodiments and variations can be adapted to particular circumstances. Even though one point of view is necessarily chosen in describing and defining the invention, this should not inhibit broader or related embodiments going beyond the semantic orientation of this application but falling within the spirit of the invention. For example, various brands of winding machines can be adapted to practice the inventive system with particular modifications apparent to those skilled in the art, and the inventive system can be adapted to similar winding operations.

I claim:

1. A roll-changing system for a web winder having means for advancing a sequence of rotatable cores through a winding station, means for applying bands of glue to said cores prior to said winding station, and a belt-drive assembly for rotating said cores in said winding station to wind said web, said roll-changing system comprising:

a. a backup roll in said winding station, said web passing over said backup roll and onto said cores;

b. a retractable knife in said backup roll;

c. a counter for signalling full winding of a roll;

d. means actuatable in response to said counter signal for moving said belt-drive assembly to press the one of said cores successive to said fully wound roll against said web on said backup roll to deposit glue from said successive core onto said web; and

e. means actuatable in response to said counter signal for extending said knife from said backup roll to sever said web rotationally past the line of tangency with said successive core and behind the leading edge of said glue deposited on said web by said successive core so that a glued trailing end of said web is adhered to said fully-wound roll and a glued leading end of said web is adhered to said successive core.

2. The system of claim 1 including a brush for guiding said trailing end of said web onto said fully wound roll.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said extending means for said knife automatically retracts said knife after a brief extension.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said belt-drive assembly moving means automatically retracts said beltdrive assembly after a brief actuation.

5. The system of claim 1 including a web-perforator roll having the same diameter as said backup roll, and said knife being positioned to register with web perforations made by said perforator roll.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein said extending means for said knife automatically retracts said knife 7 after a brief extension.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein said belt-drive assembly moving means automatically retracts said beltdrive assembly after a brief action.

8. The system of claim 7 including a brush for guiding said trailing end of said web onto said fully wound roll.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein spring means biases 

1. A roll-changing system for a web winder having means for advancing a sequence of rotatable cores through a winding station, means for applying bands of glue to said cores prior to said winding station, and a belt-drive assembly for rotating said cores in said winding station to wind said web, said rollchanging system comprising: a. a backup roll in said winding station, said web passing over said backup roll and onto said cores; b. a retractable knife in said backup roll; c. a counter for signalling full winding of a roll; d. means actuatable in response to said counter signal for moving said belt-drive assembly to press the one of said cores successive to said fully wound roll against said web on said backup roll to deposit glue from said successive core onto said web; and e. means actuatable in response to said counter signal for extending said knife from said backup roll to sever said web rotationally past the line of tangency with said successive core and behind the leading edge of said glue deposited on said web by said successive core so that a glued trailing end of said web is adhered to said fully-wound roll and a glued leading end of said web is adhered to said successive core.
 2. The system of claim 1 including a brush for guiding said trailing end of said web onto said fully wound roll.
 3. The system of claim 1 wherein said extending means for said knife automatically retracts said knife after a brief extension.
 4. The system of claim 1 wherein said belt-drive assembly moving means automatically retracts said belt-drive assembly after a brief actuation.
 5. The system of claim 1 including a web-perforator roll having the same diameter as said backup roll, and said knife being positioned to register with web perforations made by said perforator roll.
 6. The system of claim 5 wherein said extending means for said knife automatically retracts said knife after a brief extension.
 7. The system of claim 6 wherein said belt-drive assembly moving means automatically retracts said belt-drive assembly after a brief action.
 8. The system of claim 7 including a brush for guiding said trailing end of said web onto said fully wound roll.
 9. The system of claim 1 wherein spring means biases said knife to extend from said backup roll, latch means normally holds said knife in a retracted position, and means moved under control of said counter is arranged for releasing said latch means to allow said knife to extend.
 10. The system of claim 9 wherein said latch releasing means is arranged to move said knife back to said retracted position after said extension of said knife. 